The Highborn Housekeeper

by Sarah Mallory

  He should be congratulating himself on a job well done, but the thought of Nancy nagged at him, like unfinished business. He recalled his last sight of her, standing in the doorway, pale and insubstantial as a ghost. A laugh shook him. There was nothing insubstantial about Nancy. Their nights together had been hot, despite the icy weather. He recalled the feel of her in his arms, warm and passionate, the way their bodies melded, two parts of one glorious whole. How could one ever have enough of that?

  ‘I wish—’

  He pressed his lips together before more words escaped into the cold night. Confound it, he was growing maudlin! He never regretted the ending of his flirtations. Ever. At five-and-thirty he was too set in his ways to change now. Nancy was right, their affair had been a pleasant interlude, designed to while away the snowy days. If she did not regret their parting, then neither should he. Spring was coming, the ton would be returning to London for the Season and there would be any number of young beauties there to tempt him. A few months in town and this whole episode—and Nancy—would be no more than a faint memory.

  He settled his hat more firmly on his head and cantered on into the night.

  * * *

  Gabriel was admitted to Hollybank by a sleepy footman and he made his way swiftly and silently to his room, where he found his man dozing in a chair.

  ‘Why the devil did you sit up for me, John?’ Gabriel roused him with a hand on his shoulder. ‘You know full well I can put myself to bed.’

  ‘Aye, my lord, I do.’ Thoresby yawned widely and got up. He went over to the hearth and used the poker to stir the coals into life. ‘Did you find what you were looking for?’

  ‘I did.’ He patted his coat pocket. It felt like a hollow victory. For once he felt none of the satisfaction that usually accompanied the conclusion of a mission. But he suspected that was because he was exhausted. ‘A few hours’ sleep and we will be on our way to London.’

  ‘You might like to know what I’ve learned in Lincoln today—’

  Gabriel rubbed a hand across his eyes. Suddenly he was sick of this whole business.

  ‘Leave it ’til morning, man,’ he snapped. ‘I’m dog-tired and need my bed.’ John’s stoic acceptance of his outburst cut him and he put out his hand. ‘Forgive me, my friend. That was uncalled for. You had best tell me now.’ He waved John back into his chair and perched himself on the edge of the bed.

  ‘I doubt it’s anything important, my lord, it just adds a little more to what we already know. I have discovered that Lady Craster lived for several years in Lincoln, before she was married. Seems she had family here at one time. And I learned that she made a visit to the city in the late spring, just before she went off to Brighton.’

  ‘Where she met Lord Masserton,’ added Gabriel. ‘So that would suggest she set out to ensnare him.’

  ‘Just what I was thinking, my lord, Masserton Court being ideally placed for her contacts in Lincoln.’

  ‘No one would question a lady sending to London for her gowns and she then passes on the stolen papers, which make their way to the coast and on to the Netherlands.’

  Thoresby shook his head. ‘And all the while our people have been watching the southern ports. Threw us neatly off the scent, didn’t they?’

  ‘What about Dr Scotton?’ Gabriel asked him. ‘Did you find any connection there?’

  ‘No, nothing. He’s had a practice in Lincoln for many years and is pretty well respected there. He and his partner run a private madhouse on the outskirts of the city, which also houses pauper lunatics, paid for by the parish.’

  Gabriel snorted. ‘That is no guarantee of his abilities or his character! However, it is unlikely he’d want to jeopardise that lucrative income by running foul of the law. And it’s likely Lady Craster knew the doctor when she lived in Lincoln, so she would feel confident recommending him to Masserton. No, my money is on the carrier, Hewitt. Captain Graves can follow that up tomorrow.’ He stood up and stretched. ‘Thank you, John. If that’s all, I’ll bid you goodnight. We have a long journey tomorrow and we both need some sleep.’

  ‘And after London, my lord, are we travelling back to the north?’

  ‘Why the devil should we do that?’ exclaimed Gabriel, conscious of the warmth creeping into his cheeks. How could his man know he’d been thinking of following Nancy to this Prospect House she had talked of? Even though it was over between them, he wanted to see where she lived. To assure himself that she was safe.

  John looked at him innocently. ‘To visit your father, sir. At Alkborough.’

  ‘Oh.’ Gabriel did not for one moment believe this was what he had meant, but he could hardly challenge him. He said, ‘No. We’ll stay in town for the rest of the winter. I have had enough of the north!’

  * * *

  Nancy double-checked the bolts before making her way back to her room. She had left orders for Hester to wake her at first light, so she must try to get some sleep. They planned to leave Masserton Court in the morning and take the first coach north. The moon was full overhead now, shining all the way down to the lower stairs and Nancy, lost in her own thoughts, did not notice the candlelight on the landing as she began her ascent. Her father’s angry voice startled her so much she almost missed her step.

  ‘What the devil are you about, madam?’

  She stopped and clung to the handrail, her heart hammering so hard she thought she might faint.

  ‘Come up here this minute!’

  Keeping one hand on the rail, Nancy climbed the last few stairs until she reached the landing. Three figures awaited her: her father, Susan and Dr Scotton, who was holding aloft a bedroom candle. Nancy leaned against the banister and stood before them, arms folded. Not by the flicker of an eyelid did she show her unease when she observed that they were all fully clothed.

  She said, ‘I thought you had all gone to bed.’

  ‘We were in the drawing room,’ snapped her father. ‘We were about to retire when a sudden draught alerted us to the fact that a door was open somewhere in the house. Unluckily for you, madam!’

  ‘Lady Ann!’ The doctor addressed her with measured disapproval. ‘One must ask what you are doing abroad at this hour?

  ‘Is it not obvious?’ Susan’s voice was scathing. ‘She was seeing her lover off the premises.’

  Nancy looked back at her defiantly. She had to give Gabriel time to get away and convincing them she had taken him to her bed was much less likely to result in his being pursued than if they knew he had taken the documents. She pulled her silk wrap about her a little more securely, thus drawing attention to her state of undress.

  ‘And what if I was? It is none of your concern.’

  ‘Ravenshaw!’ The Earl spat out the word. ‘Impudent dog!’

  ‘I am of age and a widow, too.’ She added softly, ‘As is Lady Craster.’

  ‘Susan and I are betrothed. You are a fool if you think giving yourself to Ravenshaw like a common whore will persuade him to marry you.’

  ‘I do not think it! I was merely amusing myself.’

  ‘Oh, shameless, brazen woman,’ cried Dr Scotton. ‘What a way to repay your father’s kindness.’

  ‘Kindness! Since I arrived at Masserton I have been treated more as a servant than a daughter.’

  ‘But a disgraced daughter,’ Susan reminded her silkily.

  ‘Aye,’ growled the Earl. ‘And a damned ungrateful one, too.’

  Nancy put up her chin. The longer they remained arguing here, the safer Gabriel would be.

  ‘Ungrateful? How so?’

  Susan’s voice snapped back at her. ‘Your father took you in, showed you he was willing to forgive your past behaviour, even your demeaning yourself by marrying a man in trade.’

  ‘Aye, confound it. Does the family honour mean so little to you?’ demanded the Earl.

  ‘Perhaps you would have preferred me to take u
p some menial employment,’ she suggested. ‘In someone’s kitchens, perhaps.’

  ‘I would have preferred to learn that you were dead!’ he roared. ‘At least then I would have been spared this. You continue to shame me.’

  ‘You are not my keeper!’

  ‘I am while you are under my roof, madam.’

  ‘But that will not be for much longer,’ she retorted, perilously close to losing her temper. ‘It is clear my returning here has not been a success. I shall pack up and leave in the morning.’

  She had thought the announcement would come as a relief to Lady Craster and was surprised that the lady did not look more pleased.

  Dr Scotton put up his hand. He said pacifically, ‘I fear we are all a little overwrought, Lady Ann. Perhaps it would be best to resume this discussion at breakfast.’

  ‘There is nothing more to discuss,’ declared Nancy, ‘but I do agree it is time to retire.’

  With that she swept past the little party and hurried off to her bedchamber, praying that Gabriel was safe and impatient for dawn so that she, too, might leave this place for good.

  * * *

  Nancy left Hester packing up the remainder of her belongings and went down to breakfast wearing the bronze-velvet travelling dress in which she had arrived. She was determined to leave with all speed and if her father would not allow her to use one of his carriages, she would send Davy out to hire a vehicle to carry them to Tuxford.

  Susan and her father were already at the breakfast table, but she was relieved that there was no sign of Dr Scotton. The Earl was clearly not in a good mood and did not break off from grumbling to his fiancée as Nancy went in.

  ‘I do not see why you had to send a man all the way to Lincoln with that pattern book. Surely it could have waited for Hewitt to come and collect it.’

  ‘I told you, my dear lord, the sooner the order is placed the sooner we can have the blue room straight again.’

  So, the sample book had been returned and Susan’s complacent manner suggested she had no suspicion that the documents had been removed. That at least was good news, thought Nancy as she took her seat at the table. Susan eyed her coldly.

  ‘Good morning, Lady Ann.’ She pushed the coffee pot towards her. ‘I am glad you have deigned to join us.’

  Nancy waited for her father to greet her, but he merely regarded her with frowning, resentful eyes. She drank her coffee and helped herself to a Bath cake, trying to ignore his ill humour.

  ‘May I have the carriage, Father, to take Hester and me to Tuxford this morning?’

  Her father continued to watch her in silence and it was Lady Craster who responded.

  ‘I am sure that can be arranged. What time do you wish to depart?’

  ‘As soon as possible. Hester is packing the final bags now.’

  ‘Shall we say noon?’

  ‘I would rather it was earlier.’ Nancy refilled her cup. The events of the night had left her feeling tired and dull. She hoped more coffee would revive her.

  ‘I am afraid that is not possible,’ murmured Susan. ‘Lucas is ridden to Lincoln and will not be back much before twelve.’

  ‘There are other hands in the stable who could prepare the carriage,’ Nancy argued. ‘Davy, for example.’

  ‘We shall see. My dear Lady Ann, you are looking very pale, this morning. And you have eaten very little. Do have another Bath cake. Or a little bread and butter.’

  ‘Thank you, no.’ She was definitely not hungry, but she did feel excessively tired. ‘I think I shall go...’

  She placed her hands on the table, but did not have the strength to push herself to her feet. Her mind felt cloudy, it was too much effort even to speak. She sank back in her chair, her eyes closing.

  * * *

  The few hours’ sleep Gabriel managed to snatch felt nowhere near long enough, but he made his way downstairs to break his fast with his hosts and to take his leave of them. Lord and Lady Blicker were both at the breakfast table and anxious to know about his dinner at Masserton Court. He described the evening, avoiding more than one mention of Nancy, although she was foremost in his mind. He tried not to think of her coming into the drawing room, her silk gown glowing in the candlelight, accentuating every curve and movement of her body. Tried not to recall her ethereal appearance in that flowing nightgown, her loose curls cascading over her shoulders, tempting him to drive his hands into her hair and pull her closer, to lose himself in her. No, he must not think of Nancy.

  His wandering thoughts were recalled by Lady Blicker and he was obliged to beg her pardon and ask her to repeat herself.

  Her kindly eyes twinkled. ‘I was saying we shall not be offended if you elect to stay at Masserton Court on your next visit, rather than Hollybank.’

  Gabriel smiled politely and was about to change the subject, but his host got in before him.

  ‘Aye, Lady Ann has grown into a fine young woman. Accomplished, too, and a capital rider, as I recall. A good match for any man.’

  ‘Especially now she has her grandmother’s fortune,’ added his lady.

  ‘Oh?’ Gabriel could not help himself. He had heard nothing of this, but was glad if it was true. For Nancy’s sake.

  ‘Did you not know?’ his hostess looked at him, surprised. ‘Lady Elmstone left her well provided for, when she died, although at that time no one knew quite where the poor girl might be, or even if she was still alive.’

  ‘Thirty thousand pounds!’ Lord Blicker chuckled. ‘Must be a blow for the Earl, Lady Ann coming back like she has, after all these years. I’ve no doubt he thought the money was his.’

  Gabriel’s breakfast had turned to ashes in his mouth as the implications of this news hit him. An unscrupulous widow, an impoverished earl who had never shown any affection for his daughter and a doctor with links to an asylum. He could be wrong. Gabriel prayed he was wrong, but he knew at that moment there was no way he could ride off and leave Nancy to her fate.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Nancy woke up slowly. Her head was aching and her mouth felt unpleasantly dry. When she opened her eyes, the daylight made her wince and she closed them again quickly. She tried again and looked about her, trying to order her sluggish thoughts. It was clearly late morning. Had she overslept? No, she was wearing her velvet travelling dress. Slowly, painfully, her memory returned, and with it the conviction that she had been drugged. Something in the coffee, perhaps. She forced her mind to think back. Had Susan taken any coffee from the pot? She thought not.

  The door opened and Nancy managed a single word.

  ‘Hester?’

  ‘Mrs Yelland is gone.’ Susan came into view, Dr Scotton at her shoulder. ‘She has left. Stobbs shall attend you for the remainder of your stay here.’

  ‘Gone?’ Nancy stared uncomprehending at the dresser, who curtsied to her.

  ‘When she heard of your disgraceful behaviour she decided she could no longer remain in your service,’ Susan told her. ‘Now, Dr Scotton has prepared a draught for you.’

  ‘I do not want any medicine,’ declared Nancy. ‘He is not my doctor.’

  ‘Your father has instructed me to attend you, Lady Ann,’ he said, in a voice of authority. ‘You are clearly distraught.’

  ‘Then let me rest!’

  The doctor came closer, a small glass in his hand and Nancy could smell cloves and cinnamon in the concoction he held out to her.

  ‘Now, now, madam, this will do you good—’

  ‘I do not want it!’ She slid off the bed, struggling to make her limbs obey her will. ‘Where is Hester? I demand to see her. This minute.’

  ‘Lady Craster has told you, she is gone.’ The doctor came around the bed towards her.

  ‘What have you done with her? She would never leave me!’

  She tried to push past him, but immediately the maid grabbed her arm. When Nancy protested Dr Sco
tton handed the glass to Susan and caught Nancy in a vice-like grip, pinning her arms at her sides. Panic made Nancy fight violently, but she was no match for the three of them and she choked as Susan tipped the laudanum down her throat.

  ‘I am sorry to say Lady Ann is clearly hysterical,’ declared the doctor, as she was helped, coughing, back to the bed. ‘This accords with the observations I made yesterday, at his lordship’s request. A spell under my care is best for her, I am sure.’

  Exhausted by her efforts, Nancy lay curled up on the bed while the three of them stood around, keeping watch. She had no idea how much of the drug she had actually ingested, but they were obviously waiting for her to sleep, so she dutifully closed her eyes. She could feel the drowsiness stealing over her again, but she fought it. She must try to understand what they were saying, before she lapsed back into unconsciousness.

  ‘The Earl and I agree with you, of course, but...the legal situation?’ Susan posed the question delicately.

  ‘The Earl’s lawyers will advise you, of course, but I think you may be easy on that point, Lady Craster. You have ascertained that the lady has no relatives on her husband’s side and, having returned to her father’s house, she has put herself into his care. As to her mental state, we need not rely solely upon my judgement. My partner will also examine her. I am confident his opinion will be very much the same as my own, in this case. We need to keep her safe until she is fully recovered.’ There was the briefest hesitation before he continued. ‘If she ever does recover.’

  ‘Thank you, Doctor. I am sure the Earl will be only too pleased to reimburse you for your trouble.’

  There was silence. Nancy opened one eye a fraction to see that they were all standing around the bed, looking at her. She kept very still, breathing slowly, as if asleep.